England Rugby 2015, the Organising Committee for Rugby World Cup 2015 (RWC 2015), is in Leeds this week for the tenth leg of the Volunteer Try Outs to find members of ‘The Pack’, the 6,000 volunteers who will welcome the world to Rugby World Cup 2015.
Attendees were surpised by a visit from former England international and RWC 2003 winner Jason Robinson OBE, Yorkshire Carnegie players Jon Clarke and Lee Imiolek, Lead Member for Sport, Cllr Kevin Ritchie and the famous Webb Ellis Cup.
Jason Robinson OBE said, “It’s great to see so many volunteers from across Leeds showing their support for the game, their hometown and the Tournament itself. With such a wide range of people taking part in this process, from across the UK, it really shows how Rugby World Cup 2015 is capturing the heart of the nation. Volunteers play a really important role in rugby and it is great to see them have a key role in Rugby World Cup 2015.”
Yorkshire Carnegie centre, Jon Clarke, added, “‘The Pack’ will be central to the success of Rugby World Cup 2015, playing a fundamental role in the overall success of the Tournament. Meeting some of the volunteers, I have no doubt that they will be fantastic ambassadors for Rugby World Cup 2015 and the game.”
Hundreds of volunteers have attended the Try Outs in Leeds, demonstrating the sport’s great appeal in the region. The volunteer selection process is an exciting and informative experience where potential members of ‘The Pack’ find out more about RWC 2015 and take part in a one-to-one interview. The Try Outs include an exhibition space dedicated to the history of rugby, a motivational video for would-be volunteers and a real-life changing room to try kit on for size, complete with vintage rugby sweaters and an authentic heat spray ‘scent’.
As part of the selection process, potential members of ‘The Pack’ are asked questions based on the values of the game along with questions on suitability for the role that volunteers are being considered for in 2015. There will be a range of roles throughout the lead up and delivery of the Tournament but they will mainly be focused on transport and spectator services. There will be a small number of specialist roles including roles in media operations, accreditation and workforce operations.
Councillor Kevin Ritchie, Leeds City Council’s Lead Member with responsibility for Sport said: “It is fantastic to see so many volunteers wanting to be involved with this global sporting event which will be coming to Leeds in September next year. We have a strong volunteer base in Leeds and the wider Yorkshire region, and it is great to see such an interactive event put on to help selection with ‘The Pack’.
20,000 people applied to be members of ‘The Pack’ and 10,000 people have been invited to attend the Try Outs to select the 6,000 people who will help welcome the world to England for the Tournament. The Try Outs, which began in June this year, will run until December 2014 in every Rugby World Cup 2015 host city.
Debbie Jevans, Chief Executive of England Rugby 2015, said: “‘The Pack’ will welcome the world to England, Cardiff and Rugby World Cup 2015. We’re extremely thankful to all those who have volunteered their time to take part in the process, both in Leeds this week and at the events in all of our host cities throughout the year. We have had a fantastic level of interest and applications for the programme which shows the great level of enthusiasm and excitement for volunteering and for the Tournament. These are interactive events which give prospective members of ‘The Pack’ the opportunity to learn about the Tournament, their potential roles and the wider game of rugby and its values. The feedback from participants has been extremely positive and so we only hope that this enthusiasm and excitement continues to grow as we continue our search to recruit ‘The Pack’ who will make RWC 2015 truly special.”
75% of ‘The Pack’ will be recruited from the rugby community who help run the game week in, week out. The remainder will come from the general public, an opportunity to bring new people into the game. People who have been successful in being selected to be part of ‘The Pack’ will be notified in early 2015.
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